Job Discussion Forums

[skinsk05]

Thanks to an Austrian mother, I have an EU passport. I have BA, MA and secondary education certification in English, and have taught in the US (HS) and Korea (University, 6 years). I am planning to move to Europe in Spring 2008. Ideally I will spend the first 4-6 months studying German (I sort of feel obliged, as my passport is from a German speaking country). I might want to work a little, too, in order to prolong my savings.

I have family in Austria (Graz, Vienna and in and around Klagenfurt), but no real preference where to live, at least at first. I am interested in German language school recommendations (my German is practically non-existant; my Korean is better!). . . are there any Univerisites where a beginner could study German? (At EU rates?) or schools that might let me teach English some while studying German?

I'm also interested in suggestions about where to live. I enjoy rock climbing, progressive politics and activism. . . I don't care to stay "at home" much, so price is more important (at least at first) than quality for accomodations. Oh, and I'll be 40, which may or may not be relevant!

Good advice/suggestions appreciated! Anything I might be neglecting to consider?

[scot47]

Vienna it has to be. Progressive politics ? Not in Graz ! Try Wiener Internationale Hochschulkurse. There is a website. http://www.univie.ac.at/studjekt/index.php?id=333

[wildchild]

[restlesstraveler2]

There are lots of courses for German, but you should pick a city that also has other things to offer.

I have been working as an English teacher at the Univ in Erfurt and have done several summer programs at the Univ of Weimar. Good value for money
http://www.uni-weimar.de/cms/index.php?id=7954&L=1

This also gives you a chance to see the eastern part of Germany, whichis really quite interesting and not quite as expensive as the western part.......or Austria.

Re a job> the German univ post internally or send out postings to other universities. There are also ads in DIE ZEIT on the weekends. You can see some postings for language schools on www.tefl.com

Or pick a city that you really like..........and find a job. The city is really important bec right now I am on a sabbatical and in Ankara and am looking to move asap (having lived in Istanbul prior to this stint). Be clear about what kind of city..........size-wise.........cultural bits, but knowing that the competition is fiercer in the bigger cities.

Good luck.

Barbara

[skinsk05]

for all the good tips, etc. Barbara, that TEFL site is excellent!!

[spiral78]

I was recently told that Austria does not recognize university qualifications from any university outside Austria (I've an Austrian friend with an MA TEFL/TESL from Edinburgh).

Does anyone know for certain?

This would seriously limit university positions in the field!!

[scot47]

I am fairly certain that the EU will FORCE them to recognize university qualifications from universities in other EU member states.

That is in theory, but they could, of couerse, always find other reasons to give the job to an Austrian with Austrian qualifications.

[spiral78]

I would guess that open uni positions don't exactly abound in Austria, so, you're right - it may be more of a preference than a legality.

[skinsk05]

Austria does recognize USA University degrees-- my sister (fluent in German) graduated UT, Austin and has taught in Austrian public schools for six years. Austrian degrees were 6-year MA-type degrees for professionals, though. Still, she was able to get employment with a 4-year German-English degree. I know several other Americans living in Austria who are employed in their profession, including other teachers.